February 12, 2003

Contact:
Jennifer Meriam, Director (954) 262-5355
Mike Laderman, Associate Director, (954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Coordinator, (954) 262-5350

NSU and the Miami Dolphins Team Up in the Fight Against Heart Disease
on Saturday, Feb. 22
Miami Dolphins President Eddie Jones and NSU Executive V.P. George Hanbury Co-Chair 2003 Broward County Heart Walk

Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders join Executive Vice President for Administration George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., and Dolphins president Eddie Jones as they cut the red ribbon to begin the 2002 Broward County American Heart Walk.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--More than 5,000 South Floridians are expected on the campus of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to take steps in the fight against the nation's number one killer - heart disease on Saturday, February 22 during the 2003 Broward County American Heart Walk.

Registration starts at 8:00 a.m., and the walk itself is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. This is the second consecutive year that NSU has served as the site of the Broward County walk.

This year, Miami Dolphins President, Eddie Jones and NSU Executive Vice-President for Administration, George Hanbury, Ph.D., have agreed to be the co-chairs of the 2003 Broward County American Heart Walk. Jones, who lost his father and brother, both in their 30s, to heart disease, has had by-pass surgery and was the Honorary Survivor of the 2002 Broward Heart Walk.

"Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States," said Jones. "This disease has had a devastating effect on my family. I am committed to doing whatever I can to advance research and community education."

This is the second consecutive year that NSU has served as the site of the Broward County walk. "We are proud to be the official home of the 2003 Broward Heart Walk," said Hanbury. "The NSU community welcomes the opportunity to help raise support and awareness for heart disease, and we invite all Broward county residents to join in our cause for combating this debilitating disease."

The 2003 American Heart Walk Honorary Red Cap Survivor is 21-year-old Kanesha Montez Haile, who has survived open-heart surgery, and two strokes. In addition to Haile, Kristi Kruger, WPLG-Channel 10 news anchor, will again serve as the event emcee. Additional participants include Coast 97.3's Julie Guy, as well as several players from the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Panthers.

The AHA began the American Heart Walk in 1993 to focus attention on exercise as an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It is the organization's largest national fundraising and awareness-raising event, and is expected to raise more than $600,000.

For more information on the 2003 Broward County American Heart Walk, contact the American Heart Association at 954-772-8100.